BGT 2024-25: Gambhir reveals captaincy backup plan, Bumrah to lead if Rohit sits out
Xtra Time Web Desk: India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that pacer Jasprit Bumrah will step in as captain if regular skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The first match of this eagerly awaited series is set to begin on November 22 in Perth.
"Bumrah is vice-captain; if Rohit is not available, he is going to lead in Perth," Gambhir stated during a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai. Rohit Sharma, while not currently with the squad, has not been officially ruled out of the series opener, according to Gambhir. "At the moment, there is no confirmation but we will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully he's going to be available, but everything we're going to get to know at the start of the series," Gambhir said at a press-conference before the team's departure to Australia.
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Backing KL Rahul to open in Rohit's absence, with another option being Abhimanyu Easwaran who is yet to make his Test debut saying "Obviously, there is Easwaran, there is KL Rahul. We will take a call ahead of the 1st Test if Rohit is unavailable. There are options there. It's not like there are no options. Once we get closer to the 1st Test, we will try and put in the best playing XI."
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By appreciating Rahul's ability to perform at any position for the team, he told "You go with experienced players as well. I think that is the quality of a man that he can actually bat at the top of the order. You can batter at number three, and he can actually bat in sixth position as well. So you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kinds of jobs as well, and he kept pickets in a one-day format as well.So imagine how many countries have players like KL Rahul who can actually open the batting and can bat at number six as well. So I feel that if needed to be, I think he can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match."
Gambhir's statement sounds interesting and fans are excited to see their stars back in action!
